MAN KILLED OWN GRAN
GUILTY PLEA: Fatal attack on nanna, 84, after taking magic mushrooms
A GEELONG father was on magic mushrooms when he killed his grandmother in an attack at her home in Hamlyn Heights.
Nicholas Field, 38, was incoherent and rambling moments before he assaulted Beryl Field, 84, for no discernible reason. She died 16 days later due to complications from her injuries.
A GEELONG father was on magic mushrooms when he killed his grandmother in an attack at her home in Hamlyn Heights.
Nicholas Field, 38, was incoherent and rambling moments before he assaulted Beryl Field for no discernible reason on July 4 last year.
On Friday, the Supreme Court heard the 84-year-old victim was pushed over and kicked to the stomach as Field went on a rampage in the Marlo Street home.
Mrs Field suffered significant internal bleeding and died 16 days later due to complications from her injuries.
Field, a father of two from Bell Post Hill, has pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
Prosecutor Robyn Harper told the court the fatal attack took place after the accused had consumed magic mushrooms — a hallucinogenic drug — at his brother’s birthday party in Bell Park.
Other guests, who were also taking the drug, noticed Field appearing to become disoriented about 7.30pm.
Ms Harper said he started to tell the group they were all “shifty” and “up to something”, while speaking of childhood trauma.
He became increasingly restless and emotional before leaving.
His partner tried calling and texting him without success as he walked to his grandparents’ address.
He arrived about 8.45pm and was invited inside by his grandfather after
saying he was “not in a good way”. The court heard Field initially sat at a kitchen table with his grandmother, but became agitated and removed his jumper and T-shirt before pushing Mrs Field to the ground.
He smashed items around the home before returning to the elderly victim and kicking her to the stomach.
Field fled and walked about 750m to Calvert Street, where he smashed a car window with the intention of releasing the vehicle’s handbrake to run himself over. A resident confronted Field and pursued him to Herne Hill Primary School.
Police arrested Field after he initially swung a star picket at officers and asked them to shoot him. He has been in custody since his arrest.
Defence lawyer Paul Stefanovic said the attack on his grandmother was spontaneous. “He held no animosity to his grandparents,” Mr Stefanovic said. “But for the voluntary ingestion of the magic mushrooms, such offending in such a nature … would never have occurred.”
He said Field was deeply remorseful for his actions.
“He’s a hardworking family man who made the wrong choice on one night of his life,” he said.
The court heard it was only the second time Field had consumed magic mushrooms.
His relatives remain supportive, including his grandfather, who Mr Stefanovic said was among 27 people to provide character references. Justice Lesley Taylor will sentence Field at a later date.
“This terribly sad incident shows once again just how much damage the use of illicit drugs in our community does,” Justice Taylor said.